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Kangaroo, Wallaroo, Euro, Wallaby

Family: Macropodidae Genus: Macropus

Macropus
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• Common Name
> Kangaroo
> Wallaroo / Euro
> Wallaby
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Kangaroo, Wallaroo, Euro, Wallaby • Genus: Macropus

The genus Macropus in the family Macropodidae, is a group of of marsupials commonly known as kangaroos, wallaroos and wallabies.

What is the difference between them?

Kangaroos
— these are our larger herbivorous animals, that can often be seen in their natural environment in national parks and outback regions. Kangaroos include the Red (or Big Red), Eastern Grey and Western Grey Kangaroos.

Wallaroos
— are kangaroos that live in the hilly or rocky areas of Australia. Other distinguishing features include the large, black nose, often in a distinctive upright stance.

Wallaby
— a common name used to describe our medium size macropods. With their smaller size, they tend to be found in rocky regions or habitats with dense undergrowth.

Western Grey Kangaroo (Macropus Fuliginosus) © G Sully and C Leel, April, 2006

Common Name	Where Found
Kangaroos - Big Red, Red, Eastern Grey, Western Grey	Found throughout Australia, can be see in open grasslands, farmland, national parks. Often encountered during the early morning and at dusk, these being the cooler parts of the day, especially during summer. Kangaroos are also seen feeding at the side of roads and care should be taken when driving. Most wildlife parks and zoos have a number of kangaroos, check out our listing of wildlife parks.
Some places to see kangaroos:
NSW Featherdale Wildlife Park Murramarang National Park • the holiday resort on the edges of Murramarang National Park is famous for the population of beach-loving kangaroos. NT Alice Springs Desert Park • with its popular Birds of Prey Show and Nocturnal House, they also have an enclosure area with some kangaroos.	SA Bordertown Wildlife Park • the first white Western Grey Kangaroo. VIC Halls Gap • in the centre of town, there is a camping and caravan park, adjacent to park area where you can often see grey kangaroos in the early morning or late afternoon feeding on the grass.

Common Name	Where Found
Wallaroos - Hills Kangaroo, Hills Wallaroo, Euro, Common Wallaroo	Usually found in hilly or rocky regions, escarpments and rocky slopes in Australia. Often seen high up on the ranges or in dense undergrowth, that offer protection.
Some places to see wallaroos:
NT Olive Pink Botanic Garden • Hills Kangaroo and Black-footed Wallabies can often be seen in the cooler months catching the early morning sun at the top of Meyer’s Hill.

Common Name	Where Found
Wallabies - Agile Wallaby, Black-striped Wallaby, Tammar Wallaby, Toolache Wallaby, Western Brush Wallaby, Pretty-faced Wallaby, Red-necked Wallaby
Some places to see wallabies:
NT Simpsons Gap, Stanley Chasm, Heavitree Gap	Usually see up in the rocky range, during summer will be in the early morning and late afternoon. At Heavitree Gap accommodation, the wallabies come down expecting to be fed (special pellets available from reception).

Scientific Classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Subclass:	Marsupialia

Order:	Diprotodontia
Suborder:	Macropodiformes
Family:	Macropodidae
Genus:	Macropus

Macropodidae - Macropus - Marsupial

Hills Wallaroo (Macropus robustus)
Western Grey (Macropus Fuliginosus)

Macropodidae - Macropus - Marsupial • Other links

The Marsupial Society of Australia
• Based in Adelaide and dedicated to providing information and education regarding keeping and breeding our native fauna in captivity.

The Marsupial Ring • Linking sites relating to marsupials.